Newt Brigade

Mar 10, 2020, 07:00 AM

If you look closely enough at this seemingly idyllic stretch of road, nestled between a lake and a steep hillside in Northern California, you'll notice it's not so idyllic — at least not for   the newts and salamanders determined to cross to...

There's a half mile stretch of road nestled between a lake and a steep hillside in rural Northern California. This road is idyllic and lush, with cows, sheep, birds and abundant wildlife. But if you look closely on rainy winter nights, it's anything but idyllic for the newts and salamanders determined to cross to the other side. Sally Gale is a rancher in Chileno Valley. One night, she resolved to help these tiny creatures, and that's how we got the Newt Brigade.


Night Newt. Photo credit: Sarah Digness.


Chileno Valley Road at night. Photo credit: Vanessa Lowe.

Sally Gale on the road. Photo credit: Vanessa Lowe.

Chileno Valley Ranch. Photo credit: Vanessa Lowe.

Night newt. Photo credit: Sarah Digness.